Justin Leonard's 63 puts him among Disney leaders

Stenson, Kim also share top spot

Henrik Stenson of Sweden is the third co-leader at Disney heading into the weekend.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Justin Leonard had on off-course scare following his round on Friday, but all is well for the co-leader.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Bio Kim is tied for the lead after the second round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic. He'll need to finish first or second to avoid Qualifying School.

John Raoux/Associated Press

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From Our Press Services

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Justin Leonard described his round Friday at Disney as a "fun, easy day," and it was every bit of that. He had a 9-under 63 for his lowest round of the year, putting him in a tie for the lead with Henrik Stenson and Bio Kim at the Children's Miracle Network Classic.

It was only after his round that he felt as though he was on Thunder Mountain without ever leaving the golf course.

Leonard is at No. 144 on the PGA Tour money list and not the least bit worried about keeping his card because he already is exempt through 2012. Because of a misprint in the media guide, reporters didn't understand how he was exempt, leading to confusion -- and a brief spell of panic for Leonard -- while tour officials researched the regulations to confirm the answer.

By the time he headed for the Magic Kingdom for the parade with his four children, all was well. The leaders were at 12-under 132, two shots clear of Nick O'Hern. Gary Woodland was in the group at 9-under 135.

The money list is magic at Disney. Webb Simpson and Luke Donald are battling for the money title, and they both played the opening two rounds at 7-under 137, meaning they will be paired again today. Simpson has a $363,029 lead, so the third round looms large for Donald.

The stress is at the bottom. The players at Nos. 123, 124 and 125 -- D.J. Trahan, Bobby Gates and James Driscoll -- all made the cut.

Kim is at No. 168 and will have to finish no worse than second to avoid Q-school. Stenson, who had a 64 on the Palm Course, is at No. 180 but is exempt through 2014 from winning The Players Championship. Leonard also has no concern about next year.

"I did call the tour a couple months ago and asked about my status. I'm exempt for next year, so I'm not playing with that kind of pressure," Leonard said in his press conference.

"I don't know how, I just am. I gave the same look to the telephone. 'How is this guy still exempt?' "

It was a reasonable question, for his exempt status on his biography page showed him exempt through his position on the money list in 2010. In the exempt ranking at the front of the media guide, however, it shows him in the winner's category.

The answer took time. Andy Pazder, the chief of operations, was out of the state on business and did not have immediate access to the records. It required an official at Ponte Vedra Beach headquarters to go through each year's regulations to provide the correct answer. That took time, and a tour official at Disney didn't want to keep Leonard waiting. He told him the staff was checking on it.

"Are you going to eat?" media official Mark Stevens said to him.

"I already ate," Leonard replied. "I think I'm going to go throw up."

As it turned out, Leonard had the correct information all along. His British Open win in 1997 came with a 10-year exemption. Starting in 2003, the tour began adding to the 10-year exemption with every win. Leonard won five times after 2003, thus he is exempt through 2012.

Leonard (63) and Stenson (64) played on the easier Palm course, while Kim had a 65 on the Magnolia.